Peter Pan © Disney/Barrie

Text, Luke Augustine Kingston © paladinofthelantern(me)

Composed With Calmly Writer Online

Word Count:1,203

A/N:Thank you all for the reviews. They mean so much to me.

Peter Pan stood on the deck of the Jolly Roger, bloody and battered from fighting the many men that composed Captain Hook's crew. He could hear them moaning in pain from the myriad of wounds he had dealt them. Peter himself sported a nasty gash on his lower abdomen, the cloth torn open to reveal the shredded flesh beneath. He felt himself involuntarily tremble as adrenaline coursed through his body. It had been years since Peter had engaged in battle but he could still fight.

"Well, if it isn't the boy who vowed never to grow up. I see you broke your own promise."

Peter Pan looked up to see Hook himself step out of the shadows, wearing the same exact set of clothing as he had when Peter had last seen him. Not only that, but the man had not aged a day, thanks to the magic flowing through Never Land. Peter's grip on the sword in his hand tightened, his eyes narrowing at his foe. How dare Hook capture his father, rip away the very man who raised him as his flesh and blood. Such an act was unforgivable, and Hook would pay.

"I see you are still an old, wrinkled codfish," Peter snarled back.

"Such a beastly temper," Hook commented, shaking his head. "What else can I expect, though, seeing as you were raised by an animal."

"He is more of a man than you can ever hope to be."

"At least I do not hide what I am. I do not pretend to be human when I am not."

"The crocodile is closer to being a human than you, Hook."

The Captain twitched slightly at the mention of the reptile, but quickly regained his composure.

"Look around you, Peter Pan," said Hook, gesturing with his hand. "You sacrificed Never Land itself to do what you loathed the most. And for what? A mere woman. Why, you could have just stayed in the Lagoon with the mermaids if you wanted to see something beautiful. She will age and die, you know, as will you. I must say you have made a very foolish choice."

"I would not change my decision for anything. I love Wendy and my family with all my heart. The only one in the wrong here, Hook, is you. Now, surrender and I promise not to thrash you within an inch of your life."

"I dare you to try," Hook sneered, drawing his sword.

With that the two clashed, sparks flying from their swords as they danced around the ship, oblivious to all but each other. The sound of metal upon metal echoed in a song that rang into the night like the cry of some forlorn spirit lost at sea. Blows flew between the two quicker than the wind, resulting in thin streams of crimson flowing from their injuries and down into the wooden deck.

Peter began to feel himself tire as time passed, but he forced himself to continue. If he failed, Hook would harm his family. With renewed fervor he pressed on, catching the pirate by surprise. Hook knew Peter was a good swordsman, but he had not expected the younger man to last this long. Peter took this momentary lapse in focus to relieve Hook of his weapon by pressing his sword against his opponents and twisting.

The blade flew from Hook's hand over the side of the ship, disappearing into the sea. Peter moved towards Hook, holding his blade aloft despite the pirate's pleas to lower it. Suddenly, the Captain tripped and fell into a row boat hanging from the side of the vessel. With a flourish Peter cut the ropes and watched it splash onto the water. Hook screamed profanities at Peter from below, then stopped.

An all too familiar ticking sound came to his ears, causing him to freeze. Hook was horrified to see a green snout poke out of the water, followed by a pair of yellow eyes and a long mouth full of sharp teeth. He wasted no time in grabbing the oars of the boat and rowing away as fast as he could, frantically glancing behind him to see the hungry crocodile speeding after the boat.

Peter watched the sight for a moment before a glint of something metallic caught his eye. Picking it up he found the object to be a key ring that he surmised had fallen out of Hook's coat pocket during the scuffle. With haste, he unlocked the door to the lower deck, nearly running down the stairs in his hurry to see his loved ones again.

The sight that greeted him nearly made his heart sink into his stomach. Wendy, Daniel, and Jane were all chained to the side of the ship, immediately raising their heads upon Peter's return. He rushed to them, quickly removing their shackles. No sooner were they off than he embraced his beloved and his children with all his strength. Upon inquiring where his father was they revealed he had been taken into another room nearby.

Wendy stayed with Daniel and Jane while Peter went to unbind his father. What he saw shocked him even more than what he had previously encountered. A body of a lion lay chained to the floor, the tail twitching limply as golden claws scraped the wood. Feathered wings covered it like a blanket, a few stray feathers scattered around the area. What affected Peter the most however, were the pupilless golden eyes staring out at him from a head which could be described as that of a donkey, but with a broader muzzle in place of a narrow one. Blood stained parts of the creature's white fur red, and Peter was horrified to see the amount of damage done to his father.

Though these chains were considerably heavier than those that had bound his wife and children, Peter summoned all the strength he had left in order to remove them, throwing the metal to the floor with a heavy thud. Luke attempted to get up, his limbs shaking, but lowered himself back down when a bolt of pain shot through him. Peter wished he could lift Luke himself, but knew that it would be a futile task. His father took up more than half the room. Instead, he rushed to Luke, cradling his head in his lap.

"Blast it. I can't change form like this. Are Wendy and my grandchildren alright, son?"

"Yes, father, they're safe now. The pirates are defeated."

"Including Hook?"

"Not exactly. I set him adrift in a boat. The crocodile showed up and is now chasing the codfish across Never Land."

"I see. I'm sorry you all got hurt. I should have tried harder."

"There is no need to blame yourself. Now, rest. You need your strength."

Luke was reluctant to obey Peter's commands, but he knew very well he was in no condition to be up and about. So instead he let his son hold him, and drifted off to the sound of the waves lapping gently against the ship's sides.